Air conditioner fan

ABSTRACT

A fan of an air conditioner is provided. A discharge portion of a hub of the fan increases in outer diameter toward a discharge end of the hub such that air can diverge from the hub. The hub accommodates a portion of a motor such that the fan can vibrate less when the motor operates.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Patent Application No. 2006-0139065, filed Dec. 29, 2006, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a fan of an air conditioner.

2. Description of Related Art

Air conditioners are used to control an enclosed space by cooling or heating the enclosed space using a refrigerant system.

An air conditioner includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit includes an indoor heat exchanger. The outdoor unit includes a compressor, a condenser, a fan, and a motor. The fan of the outdoor unit may be an axial fan that draws in and discharges air in its axial direction.

When the outdoor unit operates, the fan generates most of the noise of the outdoor unit. In the fan, blades generate more noise than a hub. Recently, fans have optimally designed blades for reducing noises. In addition, the shape of the hub, which generates relatively less noise than the blades, has been also studied for reducing noises.

Usually, the hub has a cylindrical shape. Therefore, air discharged from the hub is directed to a center portion of a grill disposed in front of the hub. In this case, the center portion of the grill makes noise louder than the peripheral portion of the grill since the center portion of the grill has a lower stiffness than the peripheral portion of the hub. Furthermore, the air discharged to the center portion of the grill makes a turbulent flow, thereby decreasing airflow efficiency at the center portion of the grill. As a result, the airflow rate at the center portion of the grill is reduced.

Moreover, a motor is coupled to a center of the hub of the fan without any structure for reducing the distance between the motor and the fan. Therefore, the airflow efficiency of the fan decreases, and more noises occur due to the relatively large distance between the motor and fan. Furthermore, since the vibration level of the fan increases in proportion to the distance between the motor and the fan, the noise level of the fan is also proportional to the distance between the motor and the fan. Moreover, when the distance between the motor and the fan is large, the outdoor unit must have a large size to accommodate the assembly of the motor and the fan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a fan of an air conditioner that has improved airflow efficiency by reducing a noise level at a hub of the fan.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a fan of an air conditioner that is designed to reduce the noise of an outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a fan of an air conditioner that is designed to reduce the size of an outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

An aspect of the present invention provides a fan of an air conditioner including a hub divided into an intake portion and a discharge portion, the discharge portion gradually increasing in outer diameter; and a plurality of blades provided on an outer circumferential surface of the hub.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a fan of an air conditioner including a hub divided into an intake portion and a discharge portion, the discharge portion being tapered from a discharge end of the hub to the intake portion; and a plurality of blades provided on an outer circumferential surface of the hub.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a fan of an air conditioner including a hub divided into an intake portion and a discharge portion, the discharge portion gradually increasing in outer diameter; a plurality of blades formed along an outer circumferential surface of the hub; and a motor partially inserted into the hub.

The intake portion may have a constant outer diameter.

The discharge portion may have a conical or rounded shape.

The intake portion may be tapered from the discharge portion to an intake end of the hub.

The intake portion and the discharge portion may have different tapered angles. In this case, the tapered angle of the discharge portion may be larger than the tapered angle of the intake portion.

The discharge portion may be rounded along a centerline of the hub.

A motor can be partially inserted in the intake end of the hub.

As described above, since the discharge portion of the hub enlarges gradually toward the discharge end of the hub, the airflow efficiency at the hub can be increased, and the noise at the hub can be reduced.

Furthermore, since air diverges from the hub, less air is discharged to the center portion (weak portion) of a discharge grill disposed in front of the hub. Therefore, the possibility of a turbulent flow at the discharge grill can be reduced, and air can be discharged through the discharge grill more efficiently.

In addition, since the intake portion of the hub is inclined, air receives less resistance at the intake portion of the hub.

Moreover, since the intake end of the hub receives a portion of the motor, the final length of the assembly of the motor and the fan can be reduced. Therefore, when the motor operates, the fan vibrates less and makes less noise. As a result, the fan can blow more air.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, given as nonlimiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a motor and a fan of the outdoor unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a hub of the fan of FIG. 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the noise characteristics of the hub of FIG. 1 with respect to the inclination angle of a discharge region of the hub;

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a fan according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a fan according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a fan according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure, however, may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclose to those skilled in the art. The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description is taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the outdoor unit includes a case 10 and a barrier wall 11 dividing the case 10 into two parts. A compressor 20 is provided in one part of the case 10. An outdoor heat exchanger 30, a motor 40, and a fan 100 are provided in the other part of the case 10.

The case 10 includes an intake grill 12 and a discharge grill 13. The intake grill 12 is formed at a rear side (the rear of the paper in FIG. 1) and a lateral side of the outdoor heat exchanger 30, and the discharge grill 13 is formed at a front side (the front of the paper in FIG. 1) of the outdoor heat exchanger 30.

The outdoor heat exchanger 30 is L-shaped such that the effective area of the outdoor heat exchanger 30 for heat exchange can be increased. However, the outdoor heat exchanger 30 can have other shapes if necessary.

The motor 40 is provided in the case 10 and supported by a bracket 42.

The motor 40 includes a shaft 41, and the fan 100 is coupled to the shaft 41. The discharge grill 13 is located in front of the fan 100.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the motor 40 and the fan 100, and FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a hub 110 of the fan 100 according to a first embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the fan 100 includes the hub 110 and a plurality of blades 120. The blades 120 are formed along an outer circumference of the hub 110.

The hub 110 includes an accommodation recess 113 in an intake end thereof to receive a portion of the motor 40. When the motor 40 is partially inserted in the accommodation recess 113 of the hub 110, a predetermined clearance is formed between the motor 40 and the hub 110. Since the motor 40 is partially inserted into the accommodation recess 113 of the hub 110, the final length of an assembly of the motor 40 and the hub 110 can be reduced. Therefore, the inside space of the case 10 can be saved, and a relatively large fan can be installed in the case 10. Furthermore, since the motor 40 and the hub 110 can be assembled more closely owing to the accommodation recess 113, the vibration of the fan 100 coupled to the motor 40 through the shaft 41 can be reduced. As a result, the fan 100 can blow more air with less noise.

The hub 110 includes an intake region 111 and a discharge region 112.

The intake portion 111 may have a constant diameter.

The discharge portion 112 may have a diameter that increases from the intake region 111 to a discharge end of the discharge region 112. The discharge portion 112 may have an inclination angle θ in the range of 10 to 80 degrees.

Furthermore, the discharge portion 112 can have a rounded shape.

An operation of the fan 100 will now be described in detail.

When the motor 40 rotates the fan 100, air is drawn through the intake grill 12 of the case 10. Then, the air flows along the outdoor heat exchanger 30 for heat exchange.

After that, the air is directed to the discharge grill 13 by the blades 120 of the fan 100. The blades 120 and the hub 110 are designed such that the speed (or flow rate) of air through the blades 120 is highest at a distance of two-thirds the radius of the fan 100.

Air flows along the hub 110 from the intake portion 111 to the discharge portion 112. Since the discharge portion 112 enlarges toward the discharge end of the hub 110, a stream of air flowing along the hub 110 diverges from the discharge end of the hub 110 in a direction towards the blades 120. Therefore, the stream of air discharged from the hub 110 meets a stream of air discharged from the blades 120 which is relatively fast, such that the stream of air flowing along the hub 110 can be accelerated. Therefore, the flow rate of air along the hub 110 can be increased, and thus the noise of the fan 100 can be reduced.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the noise characteristics of the hub 110 with respect to the inclination angle θ of the discharge portion 112.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the discharge portion 112 of the hub 110 has a cylindrical shape (i.e., the inclination angle θ is zero), a noise at the discharge portion 112 is large. When the inclination angle θ of the discharge portion 112 is 20 degrees, the noise at the discharge portion 112 is small. The noise at the discharge portion 112 increases in proportion to the inclination angle θ when the inclination angle θ ranges from 20 degrees to 80 degrees. When the inclination angle θ is larger than 80 degrees, the noise at the discharge portion 112 increases steeply. Therefore, the inclination angle θ of the discharge portion 112 may be in the range of 20 to 80 degrees.

Air discharged from the fan 100 is directed to the outside of the case 10 through the discharge grill 13. Here, since air discharged from the hub 110 of the fan 100 is not directed toward the center of the discharge grill 13 of the case 10, the possibility of a noise and a turbulent flow can be reduced at the center portion of the discharge grill 13.

A fan will now be described in detail according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a fan according to a second embodiment. In FIG. 5, only a hub 210 of the fan is illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 5, a discharge portion 212 of the hub 210 enlarges towards a discharge end of the hub 210, and an intake portion 211 of the hub 210 enlarges from an intake end of the hub 210 towards the discharge portion 212.

An inclination angle θ3 of the discharge portion 212 may be different from an inclination angle θ2 of the intake portion 211. For example, the inclination angle θ3 of the discharge portion 212 can be larger than the inclination angle θ2 of the intake portion 211. Alternatively, the inclination angle θ3 of the discharge portion 212 can be the same as the inclination angle θ2 of the intake portion 211. Alternatively, the intake portion 211 can have an increasing diameter as described above, and the discharge portion 212 can have a rounded shape.

The hub 210 may have an accommodation recess 213 in the intake end thereof to receive the motor 40.

Since the intake portion 211 of the hub 210 has an increasing diameter, an air resistance at the intake end of the hub 210 can be reduced. Air flows along the intake portion 211 of the hub 210 and is discharged from the discharge portion 212 of the hub 210 in a direction towards blades (now shown) of the fan. In FIG. 5, only the hub 210 of the fan is shown, and the blades of the fan are not shown.

As explained above, in the current embodiment, each of the intake portion 211 and the discharge portion 212 has an increasing diameter, such that air can be easily discharged from the hub 210 in a direction towards the blades of the fan. Therefore, the air resistance and noise of the hub 210 can be reduced. Furthermore, since air can flow along the hub 210 more easily, an airflow rate along the hub 210 can be increased, and a noise at the hub 210 can be reduced.

A fan will now be described in detail according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a fan according to a third embodiment. In FIG. 6, only a hub 310 of the fan is illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 6, a discharge portion 312 of the hub 310 has a gradually increasing diameter toward a discharge end of the hub 310. Furthermore, the discharge portion 312 of the hub 310 is rounded along a centerline of the hub 310. For example, the discharge portion 312 of the hub 310 can be streamlined along the centerline of the hub 310.

An intake portion 311 of the hub 310 may have a constant diameter.

The hub 310 may include an accommodation recess 313 in the intake end thereof to receive the motor 40.

Air can smoothly diverge from the discharge portion 312 of the hub 310 since the discharge portion 312 is streamlined. Therefore, the air resistance and noise at the discharge portion 312 can be relatively small. Furthermore, since air can flow smoothly from the discharge portion 312 in a direction towards the blades (not shown) of the fan, the airflow rate at the hub 310 can increase.

A fan will now be described in detail according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a fan according to a fourth embodiment. In FIG. 7, only a hub 410 of the fan is illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 7, a discharge portion 412 of the hub 310 can be rounded such that the discharge portion 412 has a gradually increasing diameter toward a discharge end of the hub 410. For example, the discharge portion 412 of the hub 410 can be streamlined along a centerline of the hub 410.

An intake portion 411 of the hub 410 may have a gradually increasing diameter from an intake end of the 410 to the discharge portion 412.

An inclination angle θ3 of the discharge portion 412 may be different from an inclination angle θ2 of the intake portion 411. For example, the inclination angle θ3 of the discharge portion 412 can be larger than the inclination angle θ2 of the intake portion 411. Alternatively, the inclination angle θ3 of the discharge portion 412 can be the same as the inclination angle θ2 of the intake portion 411.

The hub 410 may have an accommodation recess 413 in the intake end thereof to receive the motor 40.

Since the intake portion 411 of the hub 210 has an increasing diameter, an air resistance at the intake end of the hub 410 can be relatively small. Air flowing along the intake portion 411 of the hub 410 can be smoothly discharged by the rounded discharge portion 412 of the hub 410 in a direction towards blades (not shown) of the fan. Here, since the discharge portion 412 is rounded (streamlined) the air resistance and noise at the discharge portion 412 can be significantly reduced, and thus the airflow rate at the hub 410 can be increased.

As described above, air can flow efficiently at the discharge portion of the hub of the fan with less noise so that the fan can be applied to various fields.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

Although the invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified. Rather, the above-described embodiments should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, changes may be made within the metes and bounds of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects. 

1. A fan of an air conditioner, comprising: a hub divided into an intake portion and a discharge portion, the discharge portion gradually increasing in outer diameter; and a plurality of blades provided on an outer circumferential surface of the hub.
 2. The fan according to claim 1, wherein the intake portion has a constant outer diameter.
 3. The fan according to claim 1, wherein the discharge portion has a conical shape.
 4. The fan according to claim 1, wherein the discharge portion is rounded along a centerline of the hub.
 5. The fan according to claim 1, wherein the hub has an intake end into which a motor is partially inserted.
 6. A fan of an air conditioner, comprising: a hub divided into an intake portion and a discharge portion, the discharge portion being tapered from a discharge end of the hub to the intake portion; and a plurality of blades provided on an outer circumferential surface of the hub.
 7. The fan according to claim 6, wherein the intake portion is tapered from the discharge portion to an intake end of the hub.
 8. The fan according to claim 6, wherein the hub accommodates a portion of a motor.
 9. The fan according to claim 6, wherein the intake portion and the discharge portion have different tapered angles.
 10. The fan according to claim 9, wherein the tapered angle of the discharge portion is larger than the tapered angle of the intake portion.
 11. The fan according to claim 9, wherein the hub accommodates a portion of a motor.
 12. A fan of an air conditioner, comprising: a hub divided into an intake portion and a discharge portion, the discharge portion gradually increasing in outer diameter; a plurality of blades provided on an outer circumferential surface of the hub; and a motor partially inserted into the hub.
 13. The fan according to claim 12, wherein the intake portion has a constant outer diameter.
 14. The fan according to claim 12, wherein the discharge portion has a conical shape.
 15. The fan according to claim 12, wherein the discharge portion is tapered.
 16. The fan according to claim 12, wherein the discharge portion is rounded along a centerline of the hub.
 17. The fan according to claim 12, wherein the intake portion has an inclined outer surface.
 18. The fan according to claim 12, wherein the discharge portion of the hub is streamlined along a centerline of the hub.
 19. The fan according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the discharge portion forms an inclination angle with the centerline of the hub, the inclination angle having a value in the range of 10 to 80 degrees.
 20. The fan according to claim 6, wherein an outer surface of the discharge portion forms an inclination angle with the centerline of the hub, the inclination angle having a value in the range of 20 to 80 degrees. 